If you are visiting today please be aware that for your safety some areas of the grounds may need to remain closed. We advise using the shuttle buses rather than attempting to walk up or down any hills. The Manor, Parterre and Stables will be open.

You may want to bring a torch too as some parking areas have limited lighting.

There are four buses and two big bendy buses (kids love them!) continuously shuttling visitors to the house, but if you would prefer to walk the route is lit all the way.

Our new, lit grass path has plastic matting and a woodchip surface. It is steep in places and after recent rain it has become quite muddy so we don’t advise this walk for anyone with a pushchair, wheelchair or scooter.

Our bus queue may look long but it really does move quickly.

Staying warm

Please wrap up in warm clothes and wear wellies or boots.

The Powerhouse, near the Manor Shop hot drinks and snacks kiosk, offers a warm place to sit and snack. You can also find warm covered seating, with sheepskins and blankets in the Wigwam cafe, where we serve hot ‘street-style’ food, cakes and drinks including mulled wine.

What’s the best time to come?

If you are looking for a quieter time to visit, we suggest a weekday visit. We are open Wed-Sun until 2 Jan (except 24-26 Dec).

Waddesdon Imaginarium light show projected onto the front of the house is better the darker it gets.

You can now bring your dog to Waddesdon. They are allowed anywhere in the grounds with the exception of the Aviary, Parterre and Woodland Playground. To help protect our beautiful surroundings we just ask you to adhere to our do’s and don’ts for bringing your dog.

Sat 11 Nov – Tue 2 Jan
To celebrate the return of Paddington to the big screen this winter, we have created a limited-edition Paddington Afternoon Tea for your marmalade loving cubs (or kids) to enjoy this Christmas.

During the winter months from the end of October to the end of March (depending on the weather) we wrap all our statues against the frost. So don’t be surprised to see ghostly looking shapes in the grounds during your visit.

If you’re looking for the perfect venue for a Christmas party with a difference, nothing can match the unique atmosphere of Christmas at Waddesdon, with both the Dairy and Five Arrows Hotel offering Christmas party packages.

Musical elephant

The elephant automaton was one of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s most admired treasures. It was mentioned in a local newspaper report of 1889 describing the visit of the Shah of Persia, who asked to see the mechanism perform again and again.